Fabrication and thermal insulation properties of ceramic felts constructed by electrospun γ-Y2Si2O7 fibers

Ceramic fiber felts are attractive candidates for high temperature insulation due to their lightweight, high porosity and low thermal conductivity. In this work, ceramic felts constructed by gamma-Y2Si2O7 fibers were prepared by a facile method of Y-Si-O/PVB sol-gel electrospinning combined with subsequent high-temperature calcination. Effects of calcination temperature on the phase composition, microstructure and thermal insulation properties of ceramic felts were systematically studied. Results indicated that the organic components in the sol-gel fibers were removed after high temperature calcination, while the fibers kept the original continuous microtopography with high aspect ratios. Ceramic fiber felts of pure gamma-Y2Si2O7 phase could be obtained after calcinated at 1300 degrees C. The as-prepared paper-like gamma-Y2Si2O7 fiber felt presented low density of similar to 120 mg/cm(3) and a high porosity up to 97.03%. Combined with the inherent high temperature stability and low thermal conductivity of gamma-Y2Si2O7, this light ceramic felts possessed high-temperature resistance and thermal insulating property (low thermal conductivity of 0.052 W m(-1) K-1). The successful preparation of this ceramic fiber felt may provide a perspective for insulation materials used in harsh environments.